Improvement in car-axle boxes



I ofthe combined diaphragm and sleeve.

UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID A. HOPKINS, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-AXLE BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 153,255, dated July 21, 1874 May 11, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID A. HOPKINS, of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Axle-Box for (la-rs, of which the following is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section of my improved axle-box. Fig. 2 is a detail face view Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the same on the line c c, Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts.

This invention relates to a new manner of forming the inner part of an axle-box for railroad-cars, trucks, or engines; andk consists in combining the up-anddown adjustable diaphragm or inner plate with a projecting flange or sleeve, which, embracing the axle tightly, prevents the entrance of dust and sand into, and the escape of lubricating material from, the box, and, owing to its enlarged contactsurface, will last longer than the ordinary narrow-edged contact-plates now in use. The invention consists also in cutting a recess into the inner part of said tlange or sleeve to admit cotton-waste, or other equivalent matter, to contact with the axle, for removing from the same any impurities that may have found their way in.

A in the drawing represents the body of an axle-box of suitable form and size. B is the back diaphragm of the same, made of suitable application filed metal, and placed into a narrow chamber, a, which is formed at the inner end of the box A. This chamber a is closed on the outer side by a plate, c, which is fastened in place by screws b, bolts, or other equivalent devices. d is a Ila-nge or sleeve projecting from the plate B, inwardly or outwardly, so as to embrace the axle D, a packing-ring, e, of leather or equivalent material, being held in the flan ge or sleeve in contact with the axle. The width of this flange or sleeve can be increased at will, so that it will cover a suitable length of the axle. When the Ilange projects inwardly, as shown, I prefer to cut a portion of it out, as shown at f, in Figs. 2 and 3, so that wadding can be placed into this recess and brought in contact with the part of the axle re\-0lving in the i'lange, cleaning it of all impurities that may have entered. Vhen the iiange projects outwardly the recess cannot be provided in it. The packing-rin g e may, it' desired, be omitted.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire t0 secure by Letters Patentl. The adjustable diaphragm B, provided with the sleeve d, in combination with thc front plate C, packing c, and axle D, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The sleeve l on the adjustable diaphragm I B, provided with a recess, j', as specified.

DAVID A. HOPKINS. Witnesses:

T. B. MosHER,

W. A. GRAHAM. 

